The Handai-Asahi Nakanoshima Juku offers courses produced and sponsored by Osaka University and Asahi Culture Center. The Handai-Asahi Nakanoshima Juku was established at the time [Osaka University's] Nakanoshima Center was built in 2004.

These courses share results of research conducted at Osaka University with the general public in an easy-to-understand format. In these lectures, leading lecturers give presentations on topics in culture, art, history, science, technology, health care, as well as seasonal and current topics.

Dates & Time: Saturdays, November 11 and December 6, 2014 -- 2:30 ~ 4:00 p.m.

Tuition fee: ¥3,240 (2 classes in all)

Lecturer: TAKASHIMA Koji, Visiting professor, Center for the Study of Communication-Design, Osaka University

SUGAWARA no Michizane, a scholar, poet, and politician of the 10th century, was worshiped under the name of Tenjin, sky deity. Initially he was worshiped as a god for having warded off an epidemic [of smallpox]. One theory holds that the original theme of demons being driven out in Japanese folklore such as Shuten-doji, Momotaro, and Issun-boshi, stories of beating a band of demons into surrendering, actually represent the fight against, the driving out of, smallpox. Taking a look at this aspect of culture leads to the theory that Michizane wiped out demons. If I say Momotaro, Issun-boshi, and MINAMOTO no Yorimitsu who disposed Shuten-doji, that all these were actually Michizane, will you be surprised?

Seeing is believing. I will show you the proof!

To make application, go to the Asahi Culture Center website.